Laura, a 63-year-old former public relations professional from Florida, began her journey with Parkinson's disease (PD) long before she could put a name to her symptoms. Laura occasionally experienced Parkinson's symptoms years before her diagnosis — freezing mid-stride while crossing a busy avenue, sobbing for no reason during a meeting with a client and walking with her right forearm stuck halfway up, as if ready to shake hands. But these manifestations were so diverse that it took many doctors and two surgeries to figure out. When she finally received her Parkinson's diagnosis in 2014, it was a moment of both shock and clarity.
Parkinson's disease is a complex, progressive disorder that affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain that control movement. People living with PD often experience debilitating motor and non-motor symptoms that may impact their ability to accomplish everyday tasks.
Parkinson's has become the fastest-growing neurological disorder globally.1 In the United States alone, approximately 1 million people are currently living with the condition, and recent studies suggest that nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year — about 50% more than the current estimated prevalence.2,3
Living by the Clock
Living with Parkinson's meant Laura had to adapt — and Laura was someone who saw adaptation as a way forward, not defeat. With a background in literature, advertising and public relations, she began using design as a tool to navigate what her new normal looked like. She sketched out visual guides, timelines of her symptoms, color-coded medication trackers and drawings that captured the emotional toll of PD on her life. These weren't just for her; they became resources for others in the Parkinson's support group that she leads.
Still, one of the biggest challenges she faced was medication management. For years, Laura was taking immediate-release medication on a strict schedule that dominated her day. Every meal had to be timed. Every activity had to be planned.
"It felt like I was living by a stopwatch," she said. "It created a kind of mental noise that never stopped."
Over time, she began to feel like she was managing her medication more than she was managing her disease.
Designing a New Way Forward
That changed when she started CREXONT® (carbidopa and levodopa) extended-release capsules, approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
"I remember thinking, 'Could this actually free me from the schedule stopwatch?' And it has, more than I expected."
With CREXONT, Laura felt like her days started to flow more naturally again. Instead of constantly anticipating her next dose, she began moving through her routine with more confidence. The extended-release formulation gave her stretches of "Good On" time, which is when your medicine is working well and you aren't experiencing symptoms. It also means a reduction in troublesome dyskinesia, or movements that can't be controlled, which include twitches, jerks and twisting motions.4
"I'm still me," she said. "But now I'm not constantly interrupted. I can have breakfast with my husband and not immediately check the clock. I can walk outside without thinking about how long I have before I need another pill. CREXONT has freed up space, not just in my schedule, but in my mind."
Laura's returned to things she loves including dancing, painting and traveling. On her next vacation, she's looking forward to packing her weekly pill organizer, which she has craftily personalized with color-coded stickers that match her schedule.
As a support group leader, Laura often shares her experience with CREXONT as an example of how finding the right treatment for you can bring back ease, flow and confidence. "Parkinson's doesn't stop me from being myself. If anything, it's made me more intentional. CREXONT has helped me live with more rhythm. I feel like I've found my pace again."
Laura's experience with CREXONT is her own and may not reflect the experience of every patient. For some people, CREXONT may cause falling asleep during daily activities. Side effects may include nausea and anxiety. Individual results will vary. Always speak with your doctor to determine if CREXONT may be right for you. Only a healthcare provider can assess your condition and guide you to the appropriate treatment options.
To hear more real patient experiences like Laura's and for more information about CREXONT, visit https://crexont.com/crexont-stories/.
CREXONT® Important Safety Information
INDICATION
CREXONT® (carbidopa and levodopa) extended-release capsules is a prescription medication for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease caused by infection or inflammation of the brain, or Parkinson's disease-like symptoms that may result from carbon monoxide or manganese poisoning in adults.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take CREXONT with antidepressant medications known as nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
Do not take CREXONT with other carbidopa-levodopa preparations without consulting your healthcare provider.
CREXONT may cause falling asleep during activities of daily living, somnolence, or dizziness. Avoid activities that require alertness such as driving and operating machinery until you know how CREXONT affects you.
The most common side effects that may occur with CREXONT are nausea and anxiety.
It is important to avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction of CREXONT. If you are discontinuing CREXONT, work with your healthcare provider to taper the dose over time to reduce the risk of fever or confusion.
You may take CREXONT with or without food, but taking it with food may decrease or delay its effect. Consider taking the first dose of the day about 1 to 2 hours before eating.
Swallow CREXONT whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the capsules.
Do not take CREXONT with alcohol.
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Have any heart conditions, especially if you have had a heart attack or irregular heartbeats
- Experience hallucinations or abnormal thoughts and behaviors
- Have an inability to control urges to gamble, have increased sexual urges, or experience other intense urges
- Have thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide
- Have abnormal involuntary movements that appear or get worse during treatment
- Have ever had a peptic ulcer or glaucoma
- Become or intend to become pregnant. Based on animal data, CREXONT may cause fetal harm
- Are breastfeeding during therapy
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Specialty, a division of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC at 1-877-835-5472 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please read the full Prescribing Information. For more information talk to your healthcare provider.
CREXONT® is a registered trademark of Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. © 2025 Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. Distributed by Amneal Specialty, a division of Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. All rights reserved.
References
- Dorsey ER et al. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(1):9-10.
- Marras et al. NPJ Parkinson's Dis. 2018;4:21.
- Willis AW, Roberts E, Beck JC, et al. Incidence of Parkinson disease in North America. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2022;8:170. doi:10.1038/s41531-022-00410-y
- Venes D, ed. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 25th ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/730041/all/dyskinesia
PP-ADW-CREX-US-0089 7/2025
